Greek word for "dispersion"; refers to immigration of the Jews into the areas outside the geophysical boundaries of Palestine.

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Pax Romana

"the Roman peace"; refers to the period of peace and prosperity during which the empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and Roman civilization.

Pontifex Maximus

title meaning "high priest" of the Roman pagan religion that was taken by Emperor Augustus.

Pharisees

a progressive, reforming group of Jewish lay scholars. Their name comes from "the separated ones."

Sadducees

comprised of many wealthy elite, especially in Jerusalem. they exercised considerable religious and political influence amongst Jews during the time of Christ.

Essenes

Jews that withdrew to the desert. Named "Pious ones" or "healers", they live a strict life of monasticism.

Didache

from Greek meaning "teaching." a first century treatise concerning Christian morals, practices, and misery. It covers fasting, prayers, Eucharist, and development of the hierarchy among the early Christians.

Apologist

a defender of the faith.

Apostolic Father

saintly writers of the early church whom the church recognizes as her special witnesses of faith.

Martyr

one who bears witness to the faith even until death (aka: one who dies for their faith.)

also called a witness to the faith.

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Justin Martyr

converted to Christianity at age 30. Taught and defended Christian religion in Asia Minor and Rome. Died at age 65, wrote 2 apologies. We still use this dialogue in the church.

Ignatius of Antioch

early ecclesiastical writer; friend of Polycarp; 3rd bishop of Antioch; fed to animals in Rome (willingly); letters are most important documents linking 12 apostles of early church. Coined the term "Catholic."

Episcopacy

the church gov't by bishops.

Augustine

Oh come on! I'm not typing that out.

Apostates

a person who denies the faith altogether.

Christians

followers of Christ . . .

Domitian

spoke of himself in 3rd person; referred to himself as "Lord and God";paranoid; wanted 2 stop spread of Christianity; killed cousin who he believed 2 plan 2 kill him;imposed a tax on Christians and Jews who he then forced to build a temple to Jupiter.

Marcus Aurelius

called "Philosopher King"; adopted son of Hadrian; philosophy was his life's central focus; wrote Meditations; did not hesitate to kill Christians; tried to stop German invasion which eventually overcame the city.

The Way

Original term for early Christians.

Baptism

confers grace, instituted by Christ, forgives sins, new life in Christ, cordially brought into church; originally for adults.

Circumcision

Jewish tradition; keeps covenant with law of Abraham.

Hadrian

succeeded Trajan; adopted by 2nd cousin; advocate of Hellenism; banned circumcision -> Jews revolted and were thus banned from Jerusalem. Then decided they could not be killed unless they violated the law (no false accusations).

Trajan

good to poor and abandoned; "Optimus" built tower; defeated Parthanians and extended empire to Prussian Gulf.

Certificate

Christians bought so they would not be accused of being Christian and would not have to sacrifice to Pagan Gods.

Diocletian

Roman emperor (284 to 304) divided the empire into East and West. Final persecution of Christians in 303.

Scripture and The Church

Common sense.

Agape Meal

Love that is unconditional and sacrificial, like that of God is calledAgape. This meal was celebrated in conjunction with the Eucharist but was discontinued because it often grew disorderly.

Leo I

"the Great"; dissuaded Attila the Hun from attacking Rome; Vandals did not burn Rome; centralized Church's governing based on the Pope's papal power.

the destruction of the temple

(70 AD) Jews temple was destroyed. When later reconstructed, the new temple was diminutive in comparison to its prior.

Apostles

followers of Christ; also witnesses to the faith

The Easter vigil

Mass celebrated the Saturday before Easter.

Franks

confederation formed in West Germany. The were a certain number of ancient Barbarian tribes who occupied the right shore of the Rhine.

Muslims

surrendered followers of the religion of Muhammad.

Alaric

King of the Visigoths.

Monasticism

hermitical life.

Lauds

morning prayers.

Vespers

evening prayers.

Compline

night prayers.

Paul of Thebes

1st hermit; various hermitical communities adopted him as their patron.

Montanism

founded by Montanus. He believed that due to the holy spirit's descent upon him he knew of the heavenly kingdom's eminent earthly existence.

Arianism

denied Jesus' divinity; He was stated as being neither God nor equal to the father.

The council of Jerusalem

When St. Paul started Monasticism- settled the question "Should converted Gentiles also observe Mosaic law?"

Edict of Milan

Made Christian worship tolerated. Made enemies of religion treated with more magnanimity (NO BLOODY DEATHS :)

Official Canon

the list of writings composed under the divine inspiration.

Priest

pastor, leader of a church.

Hippolytus

a martyr, presbyter and antipope. He emphasized a goodness in the created world, supremacy of God, clear meaning of scripture, and Christ's human experiences.

Clement I

1st successor of St. Peter; 1st apostolic father; 4th pope.

Tertullian

son of a Roman centurion; wrote many apostolic works; converted from Roman paganism to Christianity; Called "Father of Latin Theology"; joined heretical montanists but never a consistent montanist.

Theodosius I

391: Christianity became official religion of the empire.

Heresy and Paganism became illegal. Union b/wn throne and altar

Ecumenical Council:

"whole inhabited world"; bishops all over vote on central church issues, presided over by Pope.

papacy marks beginning of medieval age; when his dad died he sold all his property & gave all his wealth; he founded seven monasteries; after the pope's death-because he was the pope's ambassador-he became pope. His title was "Servos servorum dei."

Nero

Um, duh.

Polycarp

friend of Ignatius; bishop of Myrna; traveled to Rome with pope on Easter when he was then arrested and charged for Christianity. He would not deny his faith and was burned alive but unharmed until he was then slashed with a sword.

Perpetua

converted her household to Christianity (owner of the slave Felicity); both died in prison as martyrs

Felicity

slave of St. Perpetua

Iraneus

combatted heresies (especially Gnosticism); bishop of Lyons; writings describe Origin and history of each heresy before contrasting its false claims.

Origen ( one of the most brilliant theologian of early Church!)

head of 1st catechetical school in Alexandria; Visited Palestine @ invite of 2 bishops where he preaches; made priest on his 2nd visit but then stripped of teaching position; continued to preach, & was martyred by Septimus Severus.

Vox Populi

"voice of the people"

early church was often more threatened by unconverted commoners in any given area than by the Roman state.

Seminary

where monks develop in faith as they draw closer to the love and enlightenment shared as one grows in Christ.

Subiaco

city in Rome named after the artificial lake in Nero's villa; renown for its sacred Grotto.

Koran

holy book of Islam (Qur'an)

Barbarians

savages that infiltrated Europe.

Gregorian Chant

sang by monks

Athanasian creed

a statement of faith the church continues to affirm although the author is unknown.

Pelagianism

humans sanctified without grace; sacraments are thus unnecessary; no original sin exists and salvation and holiness are achievable through human endeavor alone. Augustine fought this.

Octavia

wife of Nero whom Nero murdered.

Stephen

first marytyr.

Octavian

"Augustus Caesar" ; allied himself with Marc Antony; master of the Roman world; increased Rome's industry and commerce. called himself "King of the Jews" He died at age 66.

Tacitus

writings' detailed the 1st century desire to return to moral perfection of early republic; was a roman historian who wrote about Nero.

Marks of the Church

one, holy, catholic, apostolic

Julius Caesar

pressured senate to elected himself dictator; they did and he name himself dictator for life -> led to his assassination. He was a popular and ambitious general.

The Confessions

book written by St. Augustine; discusses the human's tendency to sin.

Provincial Council

ecclesiastical province to discuss ecc. affairs and enact disciplinary regulations for the province.

Jerome

spent 5 years in Syrian desert with his companions and learned Hebrew, which used to translate scrip into Latin; translated Bible into Latin as well and inspired St. Paula to follow the monastical life.

Gregory of Nyssa

one of the 3 cappadocians (younger brother of St. Basil); deeply opposed Arian beliefs -> exiled by emperor Valens; defended the title "Theotokos" for Mary.

Apostate

person who denies the faith altogether.

Heretic

promotes false beliefs.

Material Heresy

not willed by subject, no free will in decision, individual does not choose to commit heresy.

Eremitical monasticism:

hermit life; individuals withdrew into loosely organized groups who live in isolated life.

Attila the Hun

great military leader, good administrator, diplomat, and king - 433; defeated by Romans/Visigoths; spoke with Leo I and then left Rome.

Anthony of egypt (FREAK)

He wanted to live like apostles so he sold everything and devoted himself to religious life. He was vistied by a strange demon shaped like and animal that attacked and almost killed him. Refused pilgrim visitors. Died at 105 (unknown burial site.)

Jihad

holy war; waged by Muslims in the name of religion

Gnosticism

had the demiurge and divine spirit; three types of people; heresies blah blah blah.

Marcionism

Marcion: son of a bishop; in 140 he visited Rome where he started a heretical community caused him to be formally excommunicated in 144.

Religion contained: demiurge, redeeming JC (God of love), used St. Paul and contributed to canon of SS. - JP II

Monothelitism

only one will in Christ but he possessed 2 natures

caused Pope Honorious to be admonished.

Donatism

the church is composed of saints, not sinners and thus does not need the sacraments.

Manicaesim

founded by Main; light particles placed by Devil on earth that, if freed, returned to God (hearers and elect); strict; also used St. Paul; New Testament concepts

Docetism

matter is corrupt; Jesus is not truly human and did not suffer pain but was merely an apparition. "Jokeis" - appearance/semblance; Judas Iscariot or someone alike swapped places with Jesus.